I made an "Incoming
Watch" post shortly after I set the hook on this one, as some of y'all may
recall. It shipped from Italy, so I had a bit of a wait. Executive Summary: it
was well worth the wait!

from the
Zodiac web site...

I went to the Zodiac site 'cause I was curious about the MSRP
of the Desert Hawk. Curiously enough, I could not find my exact model listed
there. Mine's a ZO2501,
but the only difference appears to be strap vs. bracelet. Perhaps the 2501 is
for the Italian market only..? How 'bout it? Has anyone seen the ZO2501 at a
Zodiac AD in the U.S.?

ZO2501
Desert

At 42mm in diameter, 51mm across the lugs, 13mm thick measuring
to the top of the domed crystal, and using a 20mm strap, it's probably the
perfect size for maximum mass-market appeal. Though personally I wouldn't have
been disappointed if it were downsized just a wee bit, say 40mm. The signed
crown is a substantial 7.5mm diameter and 3.5mm wide. And 'tis very nicely
signed indeed, with the Zodiac trademark rendered in relief and covered with a
clear resin inlay:

What a great touch!

The domed crystal is also evident in this shot, and it makes
the watch a bear to photograph! Try as I might, I couldn't get a reflection-free
shot.. so I confess that I photoshopped that first photo a bit. Note that the Zodiac
web site calls the crystal "SapphireMineral". What's up with that? Some sort of
hybrid?

The screwdown case back features a stylized hawk with talons extended, also
rendered in relief, and it is very crisply executed:

I do so enjoy a pretty backside..

The strap was a very pleasant surprise. It's black with white
stitching, 5mm thick and padded the full length, and embossed on the back side
with "Genuine leather", "Zodiac", and the Zodiac logo. Not only is the quality a
cut (Nay! TWO cuts!) above the average OEM strap, it is.. and this was the
real surprise!.. actually long enough to fit my 8-1/8" wrist!
Yippee!

Mind you, there's no room to spare, as it fits me on the first hole. But it
does fit, and nearly a perfect fit at that. I say nearly
for, while the leather itself seems quite supple, the thicker-than-usual padding
makes it a somewhat stiffer strap than I consider optimum. That's a nit, though,
as it's reasonably comfortable as-is, and when it breaks in I expect that it
will be perfect. A pleasant side effect is that it makes that
subtle yet distinct 'creaking leather' sound when you move your wrist.

While I generally prefer a deployant and, indeed, had one in the spare parts
box that would have fit, the signed buckle is so nice that I can't bear to swap
it out:

I didn't even reverse the strap as I'm wont to do (I like my straps rigged
'backwards', with the buckle at 6), since that would put the sig upside
down from my POV. This makes it awkward when I don or doff the watch, but you
can put that down to my stubborn, cantankerous nature.. it's certainly no fault
of the watch!

This combo strikes me as so spot-on, in fact, that I'm not likely to change a
single thing.. and that's rare for me! But then it might look nice given
the Fine-Point Red Sharpie Treatment... Hmmmmmm.

I confess that I was still a bit concerned about the alternating small/large
hour markers. I'd obviously reached a point where they struck me as 'kinda cool'
(thanks for coining that one, Paul D.! ) in the photos. But
how would they strike me when the watch was actually on me wrist?

Well, I'm pleased to report that it's not a problem! I'm not what you'd call overly
enthusiastic about the concept (I wouldn't want all my watches to
incorporate this feature, IOW. ), but it
is a nice change of pace.

All in all a most impressive offering from , and surely
one of the best values in the segment today!

Great Ricky! Looks like a
very solid and well made watch! and congrats!
(views: 7)
Mike D -- Thursday, 16 March
2006, at 1:46 a.m.

Great looks,
Ricky! I happen to
really like the big numbers. And the case
back is >>(views: 15)
Zeb -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:40 a.m.I wish more manufacturers would put beautiful engraved backs like this on their
mechanical watches, especially when they have an ordinary, non-decorated
movement in them. I'd rather have a unique and cool case back than be able to
see yet another 2824-2. Congratulations!!

Zeb! Agree 100%..
>>(views: 9)
Ricky Lee McBroom --
Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:51 a.m...that when you've seen one 2824-2 you've seen 'em all.
But a well-executed and distinctive case back will light up your day for many
days to come. ,
-Ricky

Hey Ricky... You know, Seiko kind of has "Saphire/Mineral"
mo(views: 20)
Jeffc -- Thursday, 16 March 2006,
at 1:23 a.m.Saphlex, is a name they use for their watches which i THINK have a mineral
crystal with a "saphire" coating.
Obviously its not saphire... but its kind of a hybrid ...
I THINK.. anyone got an idea?

Saphlex? I
thought 's trademark was 'Hardlex'..
>>(views: 14)Ricky Lee McBroom --
Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 11:07 p.m. But 'tis a good point!
My Inner Engineer says that a sapphire coating on a mineral glass crystal
should be within the realm of possibility. But who knows? Coating tech is not my
specialty...
Can anyone shed more light on this? -Ricky

At the risk of
sounding vain.. >>(views: 37)
Ricky Lee
McBroom -- Thursday, 16 March 2006, at 1:14 a.m...might I suggest that we archive this one?This watch really is an astounding value. IMHO a potential
Top 20 Watch! Just wanna turn me fellow WIS onto a great watch!!
But, yes, it is the best I know how to write a .
-Ricky